The European Union is stepping up its efforts to enforce the
UN arms embargo on Libya, thereby contributing to the peace process in the
country, through the launch of a new CSDP (Common Security and Defence Policy)
military operation in the Mediterranean.

Only political solutions and the full respect of the UN arms
embargo will bring a solution to the Libyan crisis. But diplomacy cannot
succeed unless it is backed by action. This operation will be essential and a
clear contribution to promoting peace in our immediate neighbourhood through a
permanent ceasefire. > > Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union
for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Council

IRINI, (Greek for “peace”), will have as its core
task the implementation of the UN arms embargo through the use of aerial,
satellite and maritime assets. In particular the mission will be able to carry
out inspections of vessels on the high seas off the coast of Libya suspected to
be carrying arms or related material to and from Libya in accordance with
United Nations Security Council Resolution 2292 (2016).

As secondary tasks, EUNAVFOR MED IRINI will also:

monitor and gather information on illicit exports from Libya
of petroleum, crude oil and refined petroleum products – contribute to the
capacity building and training of the Libyan Coast Guard and Navy **in law
enforcement tasks at sea – contribute to the disruption of the business model
of **human smuggling and trafficking networks through information gathering and
patrolling by planes

IRINI will be led by Rear Admiral Fabio Agostini as EU
Operation Commander, and its headquarters will be located in Rome, Italy.

The mandate of Operation IRINI will initially last until 31
March 2021, and will be under the close scrutiny of EU Member States, that will
exercise political control and strategic direction through the Political and
Security Committee (PSC), under the responsibility of the Council and the High
Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

In parallel with the launch of Operation IRINI, the existing
EUNAVFOR MED operation in the Mediterranean, SOPHIA, will permanently cease its
activities.

Background

Participants at the Berlin Conference on Libya on 19 January
2020 committed in particular to fully respect and implement the arms embargo
established by the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 1970
(2011), 2292 (2016) and 2473 (2019).

Against this background, the Council reached a political
agreement to launch a new operation in the Mediterranean, aimed at implementing
the UN arms embargo on Libya by using aerial, satellite and maritime assets on
17 February 2020.

EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA was launched on 22 June 2015
as part of the EU’s comprehensive approach to migration, and will cease
permanently on 31 March.

Council Decision on a European Union military operation in
the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI)

Statement by the President of the European Council Charles
Michel at the Berlin Conference (press release, 19 January 2020)